REEDTAIL STAYED CLOSE to his littermates, Amberdawn and Rabbitleap, as they ventured toward the Gathering island. Amberdawn's kits had been made apprentice not too long ago, so she was back to being a warrior.

Something was different about the Clan cats, especially FrostClan and ThunderClan. Something must have happened over the past moon, but she couldn't possibly begin to imagine what. FrostClan always came with some troubling news, but ThunderClan never came with bad news. At least, not that Reedtail knew of.

Amberdawn was the first to speak when they got to the island. "Hey, I don't see Mousepaw anywhere. I was going to ask her how things were going. I haven't seen her in a while. Oh!" She turned around to face Reedtail and Rabbitleap. "Have you two met her before?"

"No," Reedtail and Rabbitleap responded in unison. Wasn't Mousepaw Mousetail now? Reedtail couldn't blame Amberdawn, though; she had been busy with her kits.

"She's so nice! You guys she definitely talk to her next time you see her. She and Skypaw were really good friends then. I hope they still are. I hope she comes soon." Amberdawn's eyes glistened with wistfulness. "Ooh! What if that's why she's not here? She had-or is expecting-kits?"

It's not our business, Reedtail wanted to say. "That's great!" he meowed instead. "I hope so."

"Um, guys?" Rabbitleap muttered beside Reedtail.

Reedtail resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his brother's nervous tone. "Oh, StarClan, Rabbitleap. What is it?"

"Don't either of you realize how weird it feels around here? Look, the other Clans are staying with each other, not like a normal Gathering. And it's quiet."

"That's just because WindClan isn't here yet," Reedtail pointed out. "I bet a moon of dawn patrols that you're just nervous. Like always."

"Excuse me?" Rabbitleap demanded. "I'm not nervous! Well, okay, maybe I am. But really! Look around."

Reedtail and Amberdawn exchanged quick glances before looking around the island. Sure enough, the cats were barely mingling with each other. And it was quiet. Reedtail felt awkward all of a sudden. "Yeah, that's really weird. I hope WindClan gets here soon. Creamfrost, Hollypool, and Swallowpaw always break the awkwardness."

"Sure." Rabbitleap muttered at the same time as the WindClan cats began to enter the island from the fallen tree. "Oh, look. They're here."

Reedtail nudged Rabbitleap good-humoredly. "Act a little more enthusiastic! Now that WindClan's here, we can start."

Then Fallenstar's yowl came from the Great Oak. "Let the Gathering commence!"

At the elderly tom's yowl, the cats began to gather. The silence felt like ants crawling in Reedtail's fur. He looked up at his leader, trying to ignore the uncomfortable silence around him. He felt Amberdawn press herself against him in an attempt to comfort him.

Almost immediately Brightstar began. "I would like to begin this Gathering with some disturbing news: Two of our warriors, Frostpelt and Firetail, were brutally killed on our border with FrostClan. I have come to believe that FrostClan warriors murdered my cats." She shot an accusing glare at Lynxstar.

There were some shocked murmurs that rippled through the cats. Now Reedtail understood the drama between FrostClan and ThunderClan, "Believe me, we were just as stunned by the news. One of my patrols found them, and one of my cats was kidnapped not too long after."

"Who is doing this?" Ravenflight of RiverClan demanded. The murmuring cats around her fell silent. "If Lynxstar claims that FrostClan did nothing, yet Brightstar claims that two of her warriors were killed on the border with FrostClan, who could possibly be the murderer? And the kidnapper?"

"Oh, I know very well who Dovesong's kidnapper is. We just don't know where he is."

"And do you think he's responsible for my warriors' deaths?" Brightstar demanded. "Who is he?"

"Foxclaw, my warrior that was exiled several moons ago, is responsible for Doveong's capture, but we have no idea who is responsible for your warriors' murders," Lynxstar responded. "I'm sorry."

"One of our cats was captured, too," Streamstar chipped in. The cats around the Great Oak began to murmur. "Our medicine cat, Moonclaw, went missing and was supposedly kidnapped. Ravenflight has informed me of this."

Some cats turned to look at the sleek black she-cat. Reedtail saw her yellow eyes flash with pride. But he couldn't help but wonder how she knew. Did she have anything to do with Moonclaw's capture? Moonclaw was a mystery, as Reedtail heard the senior warriors say. Maybe something happened to her, and Moonclaw herself had something to do with it.

"Do you have any idea who has done this? Are they behind both of the captures?" Streamstar demanded, turning to look at Lynxstar. "I always have the feeling you're hiding something vital."

Why would Lynxstar hide anything? Her Clan is going through a living nightmare! Reedtail gasped quietly. And even if Lynxstar was hiding anything, why was she hiding it?

"Yes. I do know something. My warrior, Spottedsong, who is not with us at the moment, has informed me that she found Dovesong at the MoonClan camp. They're forcing her to work for them. At least, that's what Spottedsong said," Lynxstar explained. "I wonder if that's the same reason Moonclaw was captured."

"Of course it's MoonClan! Why don't you send warriors to get our cats back?" a RiverClan warrior yowled from the crowd.

"Spottedsong tried, but she failed," Lynxstar responded calmly.

"Yes, Whitecloud," Streamstar added. "MoonClan is a strong group. I hardly believe we would be able to get our cats from them, unless we have an organized patrol ready."

Brightstar flicked her tail with authority. "You can do that. But I won't risk my warriors' lives when we're not even completely sure that Dovesong and Moonclaw are at the MoonClan camp. Spottedsong could have been mistaken, and since she's not here, she will not be able to prove that she was right, if she has any proof at all."

"I have proof," Lynxstar announced. The leaders turned to look at her, their eyes full of suspicion. The Clan cats looked up to meet Lynxstar's knowledgeable gaze. "When Spottedsong came back, she was injured. She said that she nearly killed the MoonClan warrior she fought, but then she saw Dovesong come and heal her with a touch of her paws." When the cats looked at her suspiciously, she added, "I wouldn't make any of that up."

I wouldn't think she would, Reedtail concluded. Can Dovesong heal cats with the touch of her paws? That seems made up. How in StarClan can a cat do that? He glanced around and looked up at Lynxstar. "That's impossible! No cat can do that!"

"No cat could before. But then there's Dovesong. Why would I make any of this up? Why would MoonClan have her captured if she wasn't useful to them?" Lynxstar demanded. She turned to Streamstar. "Why would they capture Moonclaw if she wasn't useful to them?"

Streamstar looked bemused. "Why would Moonclaw be of any use to them? They already have a medicine cat, correct? And then to capture two more? Why would that be of any use to them? Do any of the other medicine cats know what's going on?"

Reedtail and some other cats turned to look at the medicine cats. Mapleleaf stepped forward and raised her voice for the rest of the cats to hear. "Lynxstar is right about Moonclaw. Dovesong came to me a few moons back to ask me about Moonclaw. She described her as . . . supernatural. She said that she knew there was something wrong with her. But I don't know what."

Brightstar looked furious. "And you didn't think to tell me? This is the fate of the Clans we're talking about! I expected better from you, Mapleleaf."

Mapleleaf dipped her head. "I understand, Brightstar. I just wasn't sure if Dovesong was telling the truth."

Why would any cat lie about something like that? Reedtail wondered. He looked at Badgertooth, the other FrostClan medicine cat. Perhaps he knew something else about this. He was Dovesong's former mentor, after all. But he stayed silent. Why won't he defend his former apprentice?

Brightstar blinked at her medicine cat with disappointment before sitting back down. "Fine. Does anyone else know anything about Moonclaw or Dovesong?"

Silence.

Reedtail shifted his paws awkwardly. He looked at Amberdawn and Rabbitleap, who looked equally nervous. Then he looked toward his parents, Ripplestorm and Blackstream. Ripplestorm looked nervous, but Blackstream looked indifferent. Doesn't this worry her? Doesn't it worry her that we might be the next to be affected by this war with MoonClan?

***

Reedtail followed Amberdawn and Rabbitleap back into camp. Amberdawn was immediately distracted by her mate, Fidgetstorm. Rabbitleap and Reedtail exchanged amused glances. Amberdawn was always so easily distracted, especially after Fidgetstorm came around.

"That Gathering was something, wasn't it?" Rabbitleap asked as they made their way to their nests. "Who knew Dovesong and Moonclaw were so . . . mysterious and powerful?"

Reedtail glanced at Rabbitleap. "I didn't know. But I hope that they find a way to get them back. It seems like MoonClan might actually have a chance with Moonclaw and Dovesong on their side. Kind of."

"Yeah." Rabbitleap's mew was slightly slurred. Reedtail looked at his brother and saw that he was already half asleep. He purred in amusement.

Reedtail curled up in his nest. He was just drifting off when he saw movement in the corner of his eye. He lifted his head, now fully alert, and looked in the direction of the movement. The scent of Blackstream and Ripplestorm were there.

Curious, Reedtail slipped out of his nest and followed Blackstream and Ripplestorm from the shadows. He eyed them suspiciously as he followed them to the outside of the camp. He followed quickly without his parents noticing. They disappeared into a shadowy clearing.

He stepped behind a large tree and listened to Ripplestorm and Blackstream. "What is all of this for?" Ripplestorm asked gently.

"You know what," Blackstream hissed. "You promised your loyalty, and you lied! You've never been loyal. You're no good at hiding it."

Ripplestorm fell into shocked silence. "I am a loyal ShadowClan warrior. I fight for my Clan. Those flea-pelts are nothing more than my enemies," he responded, venom trickling into his voice.

"That's what I thought." Blackstream sounded like she was talking to a misbehaving kit. "Now you will pay for what you did."

What does she mean? What are they talking about? How will Ripplestorm pay for what he did? What did he do? Reedtail wondered. He pricked his ears and listened more intently.

"Blackstream, please . . . ," Ripplestorm whimpered. Reedtail pictured him crouching, ears flattened on top of his head, in front of Blackstream, who was looking down at him with hostile eyes. "I never asked for this."

"But you agreed to it," Blackstream hissed. "You spilled your blood to prove your loyalty. Now you must stand by that oath, and when you break it, you must be willing to spill more blood."

"No cat will be willing to die because they disobeyed an oath that they were forced to take!" Ripplestorm exclaimed. His cry was abruptly cut off by an angry yowl from Blackstream.

Reedtail's heart sped up as he peeked around the tree and saw that Blackstream had dragged him to the ground. She had him pinned. She cuffed his ear and hissed loudly, "When you swear your loyalty, you must stand by that loyalty. Every warrior knows that. Especially ShadowClan warriors!" Reedtail quickly looked away when Blackstream prepared to strike like a deadly snake. He flinched when he heard a terrible choking sound from Ripplestorm and a hostile snarl from Blackstream.

Reedtail looked back into the den. What was left was a limp heap of fur. Blackstream had vanished. He looked around again and hurried to his father's side. He had a gash in his throat, a clean, fresh bite mark left from Blackstream. Reedtail prodded his father in the side with much force in an attempt to wake him. "Ripplestorm! Wake up!" he cried desperately.

Ripplestorm opened his clouded blue eyes. He looked up at Reedtail, his gaze immediately flooded with relief. "Thank StarClan. Where's Blackstream?"

"I don't know. What was she talking about?" Reedtail asked desperately. "I need to know!"

Ripplestorm's eyes flashed. "She was talking about MoonClan. They made us swear our loyalty, and I broke the oath that I promised to keep . . . but they're evil, Reedtail. They're ruthless murderers. And so is Blackstream. Warn the Clan . . ."

Reedtail watched in horror as Ripplestorm's eyes clouded and froze in time and his head lolled back. "Ripplestorm!" he screeched. "Ripplestorm, wake up!" He prodded his father even harder, but the black tom was unresponsive. "Ripplestorm . . ." He buried his muzzle in the dark tom's fur, feeling hopeless.

All was quiet before he heard, "It's no use," from the trees. Reedtail looked up and saw hostile yellow eyes. "He's already dead." Blackstream leaped gracefully from the tree and padded up to Reedtail. Her tail stroked his chin lightly. "Perhaps you would like to join him."

"I'm your son!" Reedtail gasped. "Why would you talk like that? Why would you kill Ripplestorm?"

Blackstream flexed her shoulders. "Because it's the only way. See, Reedtail, in this life, you have two sides to choose from. I chose power. He chose weakness. This world is too small for weak cats." She gazed down at Ripplestorm, her yellow eyes flickering with satisfaction. She looked at her son once again. "I'm the rare exception, I guess."

Reedtail backed away from his mother, not wanting to meet her ruthless eyes. "You're a murderer! You're-you're-" He turned around and fled into the forest. He darted around the trees and glanced over his shoulder. Blackstream was gone. He slowed down, panting, and walked into the camp, still watching behind him. He crashed into Spottedtail. "Sorry!" he apologized.

"Are you okay, Reedtail?" the black she-cat asked. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!"

"It's Blackstream! She killed Ripplestorm!"

Spottedtail looked at Reedtail with utter confusion. "Blackstream killed Ripplestorm? You must have been seeing things! She loves Ripplestorm so much. She's the most loyal cat I know. I would hardly believe she would go against the code like that."

"No! I didn't! Blackstream-she-" Reedtail turned to the bramble entrance and peeked outside. "She was there! She was chasing me! She was going to kill me!"

"She wouldn't kill her mate and her son at the same time," Spottedtail murmured, laying her tail-tip on Reedtail's shoulder reassuringly.

Reedtail shook her off and darted toward the clearing where Ripplestorm's body lay. He heard Spottedtail hurrying after him. "Wait!" she yowled. "What are you doing?" Reedtail skidded to a halt at the clearing. Ripplestorm's body was still there, and he hurried to his dead father's side. "Great StarClan!" Spottedtail gasped. "He's dead!"

Reedtail was too shocked to respond. He lay at Ripplestorm's side, his eyes closed and his nose buried in his father's fur, as if he could bring him back to life.

"Oh, Reedtail . . ." Spottedtail stepped forward and laid down beside Reedtail. Reedtail looked up at her. She looked at him with sympathy. "I'm so, so sorry. You didn't deserve this." Her emerald eyes shone in the moonlight. Reedtail resisted the urge to lean over and touch her cheek with his nose as if to say Thank you and I love you.

"Thank you," he mewed. "W-we should bring his body back to camp so we can bury him in the morning."

"Good idea," Spottedtail agreed. "Help me carry him?"

"Yeah." Reedtail helped Spottedtail get Ripplestorm's body onto her back, but then he mewed, "I can carry him. I'm his son; it would make sense."

Spottedtail hesitated, holding his gaze for a moment before nodding. "Okay." She slowly and carefully transferred Ripplestorm's body to Reedtail's back. He carried Ripplestorm to the camp and laid him at the foot of the camp. He should be safe until tomorrow. He felt a sharp claw of grief and guilt. I could have saved him. I was cowardly. No cat would disappoint their father like that.

He felt Spottedtail's fur brush his as she stood beside him. "Are you alright?"

"I could have saved him," Reedtail murmured. "But I was cowardly and let him die. Now Blackstream is out there, and she could kill anyone at any time."

"It's okay." Spottedtail licked his ear reassuringly. "You couldn't have done anything. He was going to die sooner or later. Don't beat yourself up for it. But I . . . I still don't believe you on the Blackstream thing. Maybe you imagined it."

"I didn't imagine it!" Reedtail snapped. But then he recollected himself and forced his fur to lie flat. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped."

"It's okay. I understand that you're very grief-stricken now." Spottedtail looked down at Ripplestorm, grief clouding her gaze. "He was such an honorable warrior."

"He was. He was the best father any cat could ask for," Reedtail put in. He crouched down and touched Ripplestorm's cold nose with his. "I hope StarClan takes good care of you," he whispered. He stood up again and looked at Spottedtail. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being so empathetic. I always hoped a cat like you would be in my life," Reedtail admitted. He looked into her beautiful green eyes, shining in the full moon's light. "Spottedtail, I really, really like you."

Spottedtail was silent for a moment, but her eyes glittered even brighter. "I like you, too, Reedtail."

Reedtail smiled at her and leaned forward to touch her cheek with his nose.